His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

29

The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the

police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing

the scene. The rogues, battered and

bruised, were being handcuffed and

dragged away one by one.

Nathan reached the front steps and

knocked, his hand still trembling from the

fight.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was some sort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to

18:49

His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.

"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."

I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.

"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love

them."

I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?"

I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

18:49

His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

29

Nathan stammered, his confusion

growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-"

out a bitter laugh, shaking

"Of course she did.

had brought me flowers when I was pregnant. I'd

the roses had made

hives, my skin itching

scratching. Nathan hadn't believed me back

some new cosmetic that had

had sided

always.

as

"I-I didn't know," he

didn't."

whatever Sienna told you.

18:49

Pleas, But

37

29

really,"

tightened around the boNqNet, his

I didn't mean

I interrupted, my

my house, Nathan,

call the police again."

eyes widened,

"Doris, please"

"I said leave,"

I

a

would change my mind.

didn't move, didn't soften,

bouquet of

hand. I watched

the steps, his shoulders slumped

was

18:49

His Pleas, By Ow SONS

99

against it, the

house was a mess, toys scattered

the remnants of

in the

time, I felt nothing.

Just indifference.

staring at Nathan as he lingered in my yard, looking lost, broken, and bleeding. The sight of him disgusted me more than anything. He was clutching that stupid bouquet of roses like it was supposed to mean something,

everything that

of all things. He still

never had.

I

in my chest as I looked

must've told him